Vancouver 2010 Predictions: Norway And Latvia

Both extremely hard to predict but here's my best guess for Latvia and Norway....

Norway

In The Net: The starting goalie should be "The Carpenter" Pal Grotnes (Stjernen) and his backup should be Ruban Smith (Storhamar Dragons) . Third string could be Andre Lysenstøen (Stavanger Oilers)

On Defense: The defense will be anchored by the only Norwegian in the National Hockey League Ole-Kristian Tollefsen of the Philadelphia Flyers. He'll provide a physical catalyst for Norway which will be must needed. Tommy Jakobsen (Graz 99ers Austria) will captain this squad like usual. Longtime team Norway rep Mattias Livf (Storhamar Dragons) should be his assistant. The rest of the blueline filled out by Anders Myrvold (Stjernen), Lars Erik Lund (Vålerenga), twin Mats Trygg (Färjestad) and his defense partner Jonas Holos (Jonas Holos).

On Forward: The forwards are pretty thin as well but many of these guys have been playing International hockey together for a while so chemistry may help them out a little. Their best forward of the bunch is LW Patrick Thoresen of Salavat Yulaev Ufa in the KHL. He has been showcasing his skills in the KHL and has finished high in scoring the past 2 seasons. Another former NHLer RW Marius Holtet of Färjestad of the SEL. The center of the top line should be Mads Hansen of Brynas. Centering the second line should be Dallas Stars prospect Scott Winkler (Cedar Rapids RoughRiders USHL) with Vancouver prospect Mats Froshaug (Luleå) to his left and Kristian Forsberg (Modo) on his right. The third line will feature should be assitant captain RW Pal Johnsen (Storhamar Dragons), C Tore Vikingstad (Hannover Scorpions), and LW Per-Åge Skrøder (Modo). Finally the last line will feature LW Martin Roymark (Frolunda), C Morten Ask (Nurnberg Ice Tigers DEL) and RW Mats André Zuccarello Aasen (Modo). The other Trygg twin will be the odd man and sub Marius Trygg (Stavanger Oilers).

Sleepers: Goodluck!! Espen Knutsen might return from coaching to lead his Nation?
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Latvia

In The Net: The Latvians lack a quality and have ever since Arturs Irbe retired. Unless he decides to break out the old school pads and bucket again don't count on quality. Expect Edgars Masaļskis (Dinamo Riga) to start. His back up it's a toss up although Dmitrijs Žabotinskis (Liepājas Metalurgs LAT) has had more experience in International play. Although Ervīns Muštukovs (Dinamo Riga) plays in a way higher level of play in the KHL.

On The Backend: The Latvian's actually have an alright defense squad and many have had experience on the North American ice. It's not a great defense but it will beat out many of the basement teams defensive corps. They may surprise a few. Captain former San Jose Shark Sandis Ozolins (Dinamo Riga) will be their goto guy on the point and should quarterback their PP. Dallas Stars shut down defenseman Kārlis Skrastiņš will be counted on to log heavy minutes and be their penalty killer from the point. Oskars Bārtulis of the Philly Flyers should feature on the second pair with Atlanta prospect Arturs Kulda (Chicago Wolves). The final pairing should consist of brothers Jēkabs Rēdlihs and Krišjānis Rēdlihs both of Dinamo Riga in the KHL. Fellow Dinamo Riga member Rodrigo Laviņš should be the 7th man.

Up Front: This is where the Latvians willl hurt well other than in the net. Not many teams are going to respect this lack luster offense that counts on most of Dinamo Riga's forwards (which is struggling in the KHL) and a couple of prospect to do damage. Ottawa Senator prospect LW Kaspar Daugavins (Binghamton Senators) should feature on the top line with former NHLer C Janis Sprukts (Dinamo Riga) and Martin Karsums of the Tampa Bay Lightning. The second unit should be anchored by C Armands Bērziņš (Dinamo Riga) and have tough guy Raitis Ivanans of the Los Angeles Kings to his left and former prospect Juris Štāls (Quad City Mallards IHL) to his right. The 3rd line will feature the third Rēdlihs brother Miķelis (Dinamo Riga) on the left and Herberts Vasiļjevs (Krefeld Pinguine DEL) up the middle and Aleksandrs Ņiživijs (Dinamo Riga) on the right. Finally the last line will have C Roberts Bukarts (Dinamo Riga), LW Mārtiņš Cipulis (Dinamo Riga) and Guntis Džeriņš (Dinamo Riga). The forward substitute could be Lauris Dārziņš (Dinamo Riga).

Sleepers: Well not many sleepers out there for the Latvians but Ģirts Ankipāns of the HK Riga 2000 squad could be a longshot. Forwards Ronald Cinks and Roberts Bukarts both of the CHL could be allowed to play. Both were leading scorers for the Latvians last World Juniors.